Host nation relations proves vital to U.S. Army Europe

Photo By Thomas B. Hamilton III | Lt. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, Mike Anderson and Landtag President Norbert Kartmann (Photo by Landeskommando Hessen public affairs)  

WIESBADEN, HE, GERMANY

07.10.2018

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Europe and Africa     

STUTTGART, Germany - Winfried Kretschmann, Minister President of the state of Baden-Württemberg, and U.S. Army Europe’s Lt. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commanding general, recently held their first meeting in Stuttgart, Germany, as part of the Host Nation Relations program.

“Without good host nation relations there would be no “Europe” in ‘US Army Europe’,” said Cavoli. “Host Nation Relations quite simply requires a commander’s active involvement.”

At that meeting Cavoli thanked the Minister President for hosting U.S. military forces, including U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart and the Coleman work site in Mannheim.

“We treasure our German-American cooperation. We are happy to have your forces here,” said Kretschmann.

As an ongoing part of his duties, Cavoli regularly meets with senior officials from countries that host U.S. Army units and installations. In recent months he’s also met with the Hessen Landtag President; the Minister of Interior of the State; and the Landeskommando commander.

“It is vitally important that we promote U.S. Army Europe collaboration with our allies, earnestly endeavor to be good neighbors and earn the trust of our host nations every day,” said Cavoli.

Mike Anderson, U.S. Army Europe Host Nation Relations director, explained the importance of the program: “Our readiness as a forward-deployed force is directly tied to our access to host nation land and facilities. Access to such is guaranteed by continually promoting greater understanding, explaining ‘why we do what we do,’ and constantly cultivating better relationships.”

Anderson went on to explain that a small, but experienced, host nation relations enterprise is constantly working to advise and assist the command. Senior Responsible Officers and the Europe Director of Installation Management Command engage at federal and state levels; and the team maintains a presence at U.S. Embassy Berlin, key German states such as Bavaria, Rhineland-Pfalz, Hessen and Baden-Württemberg; and in Vicenza, Italy.

Additionally, Anderson noted that due to the growing rotational presence of U.S. Army forces in Poland, a new host nation relations position is being established there.

• Date Taken: 07.10.2018
• Date Posted: 07.10.2018 10:31
• Story ID: 283688
• Location: WIESBADEN, HE, DE